What the process involves
The procedure is almost identical across all zones: register the company and obtain the licence, then get the establishment card, then a visa quota — determining how many people that licence can actually bring in. The visa stage follows: entry permit, status change or entry on that basis, medical examination, biometrics and Emirates ID, and finally the visa in the passport or an e-visa.
Every step involves a separate government fee, and these fees make up the bulk of the total cost. That is why in the UAE both we and the market publish all-inclusive prices with fees: comparing a service fee against someone else’s full quote is meaningless.
- A licence matched to your activity — it determines both the cost and what you are legally permitted to do
- Office classification and visa quota: how many visas your office type allows
- Entry clearance and change of status if you are already in the country
- Medical examination and biometrics — personal attendance is mandatory
- Emirates ID — the primary residency document, everything else runs through it
Free zone or mainland
A free zone is a separate jurisdiction with its own administration: lower costs, faster setup, 100% foreign ownership — but a free zone company cannot trade directly with the local UAE market without additional conditions. A mainland company operates under a mainland licence: more expensive to maintain, but with no restrictions on working inside the country and broader access to government contracts.
The practical rule is straightforward: if your clients are outside the UAE, choose a free zone and save money. If you plan to sell locally, open a physical location, or work with local companies under contracts, price out a mainland setup from the start — moving from a free zone to the mainland costs more than making the right choice upfront.
| Freezone | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% foreign-owned | 100% foreign-owned in most sectors |
| Working within the UAE | limited by the zone’s conditions | no restrictions |
| Cost of ownership | below | higher |
| Visa quota | tied to the type of office in the zone | tied to the office floor area |
| Who it suits | services and clients abroad | local market, retail, public procurement |
Cost estimate: year one and year two
Year one covers the licence, establishment card, visa fees for each person, medical check, Emirates ID, and mandatory insurance. Year two looks different: the licence needs renewing, some family members’ visas may run on a different cycle, and the free zone’s office conditions may have changed. People who only budgeted for the entry costs often face a bill in year two that rivals the first, and that is the most common source of frustration in the UAE.
That is why we calculate the full three-year budget upfront and show it before you pay. This is not a formality: the difference between a well-chosen and a poorly chosen zone can add up to thousands of dollars over a three-year cycle for a family of four.
- Government fees make up the bulk of the bill, not the support fee
- Insurance is mandatory; the cost depends on age and emirate.
- Licence and visa renewal — annual and biennial costs respectively
- Deposits and office conditions are returning in some zones but not others
- A bank account is opened separately and is not guaranteed: compliance reviews the nature of the business and its owners
Taxes: zero income tax, but not zero overall
There is no personal income tax on salaries in the UAE — that is true. However, since 2023 a corporate tax has been in effect: nine percent on company profit above a set threshold. Free zone companies may benefit from a zero-rate regime on so-called qualifying income, but the conditions are strict and eligibility must be verified against your specific activities rather than assumed.
There is also a 5% VAT requirement, with mandatory registration once turnover exceeds the threshold. Third: UAE tax residency does not follow automatically from holding a visa — a tax residency certificate requires meeting separate conditions on days spent in the country and ties to it. Anyone relocating to change their tax residency needs to work this out before registering a company.
How status is lost
- Absence from the country for more than six consecutive months cancels an ordinary residence visa
- An overstayed visa incurs a daily fine that grows over time and complicates every subsequent step
- Expiry or non-renewal of a licence automatically puts at risk the visas of everyone whose status depends on it
- Changing employer or company structure requires re-registration — not ’we’ll sort it out later’
- Fines for violations must be paid before departure — otherwise the issue surfaces at the border
UAE residence through a company
- A three-year cost estimate and selection of a free zone to match your activity and number of visas
- Company registration and licensing, establishment card, and visa quota
- Entry clearance, change of status, medical examination and biometrics
- Emirates ID and visa processing through to completion of the procedure
- Assistance with opening a bank account and preparing for compliance
- Analysis of the tax side: corporate tax, VAT, and reporting requirements
A legal consultation — 80 $.Credited toward the full service fee if you continue with us.
During the consultation the lawyer reviews your situation based on your documents and provides filing route: which basis, what will be needed and in what order.
Government fees, notarisation, certified translations and apostille, where required, billed separately at actual cost — we will itemise them for your situation. Processing time depends on the authority and its workload, which is why we do not publish an average figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a UAE residence visa through a company cost?
The total is made up mainly of government fees rather than a service fee: the licence, establishment card, visa fees, medical check, Emirates ID, and insurance. The final figure depends on the emirate, the zone, and the number of visas required — so an accurate number is a quote tailored to your situation, not a line from a price list. Current prices for our services are listed on the pricing page.
How long is a visa through your own company granted for?
Typically two years with subsequent renewal. The term depends on visa type and zone; certain categories of specialists and investors receive longer visas under other programmes.
Do you need to live in the UAE to keep your status?
Permanent residence is not required, but a standard residence visa is cancelled if you are absent from the country for more than six consecutive months. This rule must be factored into travel plans; long-stay visas have more lenient conditions.
Can you bring your family?
Yes, a resident can sponsor a spouse and children if income and housing requirements are met — a registered rental agreement and proof of earnings are required. Sponsoring parents is more complex: the requirements are higher and a deposit is required.
Is it true that there are no taxes in the UAE?
There is no personal income tax. However, since 2023 a corporate tax of 9% applies to profit above the threshold, VAT of 5% applies once turnover exceeds the registration threshold, and for free zone companies the zero-rate regime applies only to qualifying income and only when the conditions are met.
Verified August 16, 2026. The thresholds and amounts are tied to indicators that are reviewed annually — check the official source for your country before filing.
Services and prices — openly, before any conversation
- Residence visa through your own company$4 660
People usually add: personal bank account — $1 080 · document attestation (mofa) — $149. Two or more services — 5% off each.
Turnkey pricing: government fees are included, and 5% VAT is built in.